Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas
Speaking of summer vacation, choosing a topic for the independent research project can often be tough.
Science experiments and crafts are both fun! If your child is good at crafts, we recommend crafts because they can enjoy the process as they go.
When they get absorbed in it, they might even finish in just a few days.
Here, we’ll introduce a variety of ideas for independent research and crafts! If you’re struggling to pick a theme, please use these as a reference.
To create fun summer memories, make a one-of-a-kind project of your own!
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- Elementary School Students: Simple One-Day Science Project and Craft Ideas
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- [For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! A Collection of Summer Vacation Craft Ideas
- For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- Fun crafts using straws
- Recommended for lower elementary school students! A collection of plastic bottle craft ideas made with everyday materials.
- Simple and cute summer project crafts! A collection of ideas for girls that will make you want to create
- [Middle School Students] Easy One-Day Science Projects and Crafts Ideas
- Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
- Simple but awesome! Craft ideas for upper-grade girls
- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
For upper grades (241–250)
Pendulum Wave
In fifth-grade science, students learn about the motion of pendulums, so let’s apply those properties and try making a pendulum wave.
A pendulum wave is a phenomenon in which multiple pendulums with different periods come into phase after a certain amount of time.
The period is the time it takes for a pendulum to complete one full swing.
If you set pendulums with different periods in motion at the same time, they initially move out of sync, but with careful adjustment, their periods will align after a certain interval.
It would be a good idea to build a pendulum wave while thinking about how to adjust a pendulum’s period, and then summarize the conditions in a report.
Paper chromatography
Chromatography refers to a method for separating mixtures, and paper chromatography is a type of chromatography that uses water and filter paper.
Although chromatography might sound like a formal chemistry experiment, it’s actually easy to try as a hands-on science project.
One simple activity is to use paper chromatography to separate the inks of water-based pens.
Water-based pen ink is made by mixing various colors; for example, when you separate green ink, you can see that it’s composed of multiple colors.
The method is simple: color a coffee filter with a water-based pen, then dip it in water and leave it.
The ink will separate as if it’s bleeding, revealing which colors were mixed.
Try separating and observing different colors, or investigate whether the mixture of colors differs between brands even for the same ink color.
paper lampshade
Let’s make your own lampshade that perfectly suits your room’s interior and enjoy its soft light.
By being particular about the materials and colors you use, you can create a cute, personalized lampshade.
Brush glue onto an inflated balloon, then apply shoji paper or colored paper over it.
Once you’ve covered the whole surface and it has dried, pop the balloon and remove it from the inside to finish.
As you layer the paper, keep in mind how the light will change color when it passes through the shade.
If you overlap too much, it will block the light, so aim for just the right balance as you work.
Botanical candle
Let’s add some flair to candles and make cute-looking botanical candles.
The process is simple: pour melted wax into a candle mold and let it harden.
A key point is the double-layer structure—an inner core where the flame burns and an outer layer sprinkled with dried flowers.
This design prevents the flame from catching on the outer decorations, making it nice and safe.
It’s also important to place the dried flowers with gaps so the wax can flow and set properly; proceed while keeping balance in mind.
Bring out your originality with your choice of dried flowers and other decorations.
Investigating rheotaxis in medaka
The topic of fish reproduction is also covered in the fifth grade, right? So, in connection with that, let’s look into rheotaxis, a behavior characteristic of medaka.
Rheotaxis is the tendency to move in a specific way in response to water flow; in the case of medaka, they swim against the current.
For the experiment, gently stir the water in a circular motion in the tank where the medaka are swimming to create a flow, and observe how they swim.
Additionally, related to this, you can cover the outside of the tank with striped paper and rotate it to observe how the medaka swim.
Combining these observations should make for an interesting report.
For upper grades (251–260)
Tulips made with pipe cleaners
How about making a cute bouquet of tulips using chenille stems (pipe cleaners)? You’ll need pipe cleaners, wire for the stems, and floral tape.
Use the pipe cleaners to create the tulip petals and leaves.
Make six petals for each tulip.
Attach the petals to the wire, securing them with floral tape while adjusting the balance as you go.
Once you’re done, gently press to fine-tune the overall shape.
Making lots of colorful tulips and arranging them into a bouquet will look adorable, too.
handmade watch
When you come back from a beach trip with seashells you picked up, why not make a handmade clock that captures those memories? It’s perfect for a summer vacation project or as room decor! Remove the glass from a frame in your preferred size and paint the backing board with acrylic paint, then make a hole at the center for the clock face.
Next, decorate the number positions with seashells or small stones.
Finally, attach the clock movement from the back—and you’re done! It’s a great craft for kids who love making things, and perfect for a parent-child project too.
